PARLIAMENTARY REPORT
the way science had been treated noting that there was a Minister for Sport in the Cabinet but not a Minister for Science. In relation to the low female
representation in the Cabinet, Mr Abbott stated that “I’m obviously disappointed that there aren’t more women in Cabinet and if Sophie Mirabella had been clearly
AUSTRALIA
the Australian Labor Party, Hon. Chris Bowen, MP, noted that “the Cabinet of Afghanistan has more women in it than the cabinet of Australia”. He commented that the outgoing Labor Government had six women in the Cabinet.
Bill Shorten – new Opposition Leader
Hon. Bill Shorten, MP
ahead in Indi, Sophie would be in the Cabinet. So plainly, I am disappointed that there are not at least two women in the Cabinet. Nevertheless, there are some very good and talented women knocking on the door of the Cabinet and there are lots of good and talented women knocking on the door of the ministry. So I think you can expect to see, as time goes by, more women in both the Cabinet and the Ministry”. Liberal Senator Sue Boyce
who retires in June noted her concerns about the small representation of women commenting that “I was shocked and embarrassed to see that there is only one woman in Cabinet”. However, she added that “I don’t see that as a fault of Tony Abbott. If you look at the shadow ministry and parliamentary secretaries, we had nine women out of 46. That was the sort of proportion that reflected the number among Coalition MPs” she said, “Abbott had to work with what he was given”. The then acting Leader of
On 13 October Hon. Bill Shorten, MP, was elected as Leader of the Australian Labor Party. His election followed the introduction of a new leadership election process in which the rank and file ALP membership cast their votes. Mr Shorten defeated Hon. Anthony Albanese, MP, with 55 caucus votes to 31 but received less support from the ALP membership with 40.08 per cent to 59.92 per cent for Mr Albanese. The two sources of voting resulted in 52.02 per cent support for Mr Shorten to 47.98 per cent for Mr Albanese.
Bronwyn Bishop elected Speaker of the House of Representatives On 12 November 2013 Hon. Bronwyn Bishop, MP, was elected as the 31st Speaker of the House of Representatives. She was first elected to the Senate in 1987 and was well known for her forensic scrutiny of government officials as part of estimates hearings. In 1994 she resigned from the Senate
in New South Wales. She has previously held the position of Minister for Defence, Science and Personnel from 1996 to
since 1990. He previously served as Minister for Veterans Affairs and Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, and served as the Deputy Speaker for part of the 43rd Parliament. Before entering Parliament he was a producer of stud merino sheep and a grain grower. Mr Rob Mitchell, MP, was elected the Second Deputy Speaker.
Mr Rob Mitchell, MP Hon. Bronwyn Bishop, MP
and was elected to the House of Representatives seat of Mackellar
346 | The Parliamentarian | 2013: Issue Four
1998 and the Minister for Aged Care from 1998 to 2001. Prior to entering Parliament she was a solicitor and company director. The Prime Minister in nominating Mrs Bishop, commented that “as all of us who have known the honourable member well for a long time understand, she is a formidable character, and I can think of no-one more likely to deal with all of the other formidable characters in this place without fear or favour. Bronwyn can do what is necessary to maintain control of what is sometimes an unruly House”. The Leader of the Opposition congratulated Mrs Bishop commenting that “all of us know that you have a fondness— indeed, a forensic passion—for the standing orders. You bring to this House decades of experience. With your capacities, there is no doubt that, within another government, you would have been a very good minister. I trust you to be independent, as you have stated, and I believe that, through carrying out your functions in an independent manner, you will honour the best traditions of the Westminster system”.
Honourable Bruce Scott,
MP, was elected Deputy Speaker. He has been the member for the Queensland seat of Maranoa
44th Parliament Opened The Governor-General made her opening speech in the Senate Chamber to Senators and Members of the House of Representatives. In addition to announcing the formal calling together of the Parliament, she outlined the government’s parliamentary agenda for the 44th Parliament. The Governor- General noted that “on 7 September, the Australian people voted for a government that said it would repeal the carbon tax, establish a Commission of Audit and improve the budget, strengthen border protection and build the roads of the 21st century. My government will
Hon. Bruce Scott, MP
honour the will of the people and repay their trust”. At the heart of the government’s programme is a strong, prosperous economy. The Governor-General commented that “my government’s plan for a stronger Australia begins with building a more productive and diverse economy that will
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